Athena trudged through the thick, murky swamp, the squelching of the mud beneath her paws only adding to the unpleasant experience. The putrid odor of sulfur lingered in the air, causing her to scrunch up her snout in distaste. The mud clung to her fur, weighing her down with each step she took.
As they continued on, the low-hanging branches above them seemed to form a canopy of obstacles, snagging against their armor and fur and making their progress even more difficult. Draven, ever vigilant, raised a hand in a silent signal to halt, and Athena instinctively reached for the sword that materialized in her powerful, clawed hands. Her sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, ready for any potential threat that may lurk within the shadows of the swamp.
Despite the discomfort and challenges they faced, Athena's determination remained unwavering. She knew that their journey through the treacherous terrain was necessary in order to reach their destination and fulfill their mission. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for whatever dangers lay ahead, her resolve as unshakable as the roots of the ancient trees that surrounded them.
Aeliana had already primed her twin blades, knowing her bow would be of little use in the dense undergrowth of the forest. Athena’s feline senses were heightened, her pointed ears twitching at the faint sound that caught her attention nearby.
Stolen story; please report.
“To the left!” She shouted, as Draven instantly cast a spell shielding her from the acid. Her ears twitched again. “Head to the right!” She yelled, as a snake-like head bit towards Aeli. With a single swipe of her sword, she severed the hydra’s head. “Kael!” She called, knowing the wizard would understand. She narrowly dodged another head by shifting into a panther. Leaping into the air, she brought her sword down on yet another head by shifting again in midair. A blast of fire charred the stump, stopping its regeneration. Her ears twitched. “Tharin, up!” She used [Cat’s Claw], manifesting a giant cat-like paw and with a twitch of her hand, it hit the hydra’s last head down, where it was met by a flurry of skills. “Kael, fire!” Kael, their mage, hit the hydra’s head with a burst of flame, killing it.
You have slain Grade F [Young Hydra]. You have gained 12 XP.
After mercilessly tearing out the hydra's heart, she took a moment to catch her breath, leaning against a nearby tree. "Is everyone alright?" she inquired, concern evident in her voice. Upon hearing a chorus of responses in the affirmative, she nodded, a sense of accomplishment evident in her expression. "Excellent. Let's head back and collect our reward. We earned six gold for that, so we'll divide it evenly among us - that's one-twenty in silver for each of us." With a heavy sigh, she stood up and led the way back.